Preguntas y Respuestas

Preguntas de The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and California Counts, a public media collaboration. (4)

Climate changes and the continuing drought worry many in California. What new strategies do you believe would ensure that California is able to both satisfy its water needs and protect the environment? Please be specific.

Respuesta de Rita Topalian:

I support all cost-effective strategies to store and deliver water to where it is needed. We must carefully balance people's need for water vs. environmental issues. Fully developing the use of recycled water is a promising approach. Furthermore, we must continue the progress we have made in reducing all forms of smog in the 57th Assembly District.

Many Californians are concerned about the influence of money in politics. What can the state legislature do to ensure that decision-making by elected officials is not swayed by moneyed interests at the expense of constituents?

Respuesta de Rita Topalian:

One possible approach to slightly reduce the impact of money on politics would be for the legislature to pass AB2840 (by Lopez). Of course, that very small attempt to reduce free travel and hotel rooms for politicians was rejected recently. Until the people get fed-up with the legislature's corruption and special-interests relationship, nothing much is going to happen. Rejecting corrupt politicians is a critical first step.

Vote for Prop 50 in June! At least we the people should not be paying for three politicians' salaries and fringe benefits when they were suspended from the legislature after being charged in Court with corruption.

There are a variety of proposals to raise California's minimum wage. Many of these proposals face opposition from business groups who are concerned that they would kill jobs. Do you support increasing the minimum wage in California? In your answer please explain your position on the relationship between wages and jobs with specific reference to the situation in your district.

Respuesta de Rita Topalian:

Governmental increases in the minimum wage is proven to have a negative impact on the number of available jobs for job seekers with limited education or expertise. Raising the minimum wage faster than market conditions warrant will reduce employment of those most needing a job.

What are your top three fiscal priorities, recognizing the need to balance the state’s income with its spending?

Respuesta de Rita Topalian:

Approval of annual state budgets are an opportunity for the legislature to prioritize needs versus resources. Every budgetary expense increase proposal must be paid for with identified and available resources.